A novel virtual helmet fit assessment for ice hockey and ringette players amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundProper helmet fit is an important consideration for preventing head injuries, including concussions, in helmeted sports like youth ice hockey and ringette. Helmet fit assessments are typically completed in-person;however, this was not possible given COVID-19 restrictions. Thus, alternative considerations for virtual assessments were required.ObjectiveTo examine the feasibility and inter-rater reliability of virtual ice hockey and ringette helmet fit assessments.DesignCross-sectional.SettingCalgary, Canada.ParticipantsElite/upper division youth (ages 13–18) ice hockey (n=31 males) and ringette (n=30 females) players.Assessment of Risk FactorsStandardized ice hockey/ringette helmet fit criteria were developed and reliable for in-person assessments. Criteria were adapted for virtual delivery to participants over ZOOM video platform individually by two trained assessors per sport.Main Outcome MeasurementsTwelve helmet fit criteria scored as yes/proper fit or no/poor fit were used to assess helmet shell fit (e.g., helmet fits snug, doesn’t cover eyes), positioning (e.g., helmet is 1–2 finger widths above eyebrows, covers base of skull), facemask fit (e.g., chin piece fits, facemask does not move left/right), and others. Percent agreement (PA) between raters was used to describe inter-rater reliability, and each rater documented barriers for completing the assessments virtually.ResultsAcceptable PA (>80%) was demonstrated for 8/12 criterion for ice hockey and 9/12 for ringette. Below acceptable agreement was found for all four criterion assessing the helmet facemask fit (PA range: 48%-74%) in ice hockey players and criteria for the chin straps fit (PA=66%), helmet positioning (PA=73%), and facemask fit (PA=63%) in ringette players. Common barriers were related to technology (e.g., audio/video quality) and environment (e.g., noisy, lighting).ConclusionsVirtual helmet fit assessments are feasible and reliable for most criteria, with more training required for criteria below acceptable agreement. Virtual assessments provides another option for assessing helmet fit for concussion prevention in helmeted sports.

The Impact of COVID-19 on High School Student-Athlete Experiences with Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Social Connection.

COVID-19 restrictions led to reduced levels of physical activity, increased screen usage, and declines in mental health in youth; however, in-depth understandings of the experiences of high school student-athletes have yet to be explored. To describe the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic on student-athletes' physical activity, social connection, and mental health, 20 high school student-athletes living in Calgary, Alberta participated in semi-structured interviews, designed using phenomenography. Participants reported variations in physical activity, social connections, and mental health which were influenced by stay-at-home restrictions and weather. Access to resources, changes to routines, online classes, and social support all influenced engagement in physical activity. School and sports provided opportunities for in-person social connections, impacted by the onset of the pandemic. Participants reported their mental health was influenced by social connections, online classes, and physical activity. Findings from this study will inform the development of resources for high school student-athletes amidst COVID-19.